Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is facing intensifying public pressure to step down as citizens mark his third year in office amid deepening economic hardship, rising living costs, and persistent insecurity.
Across social media and in street-level conversations, many Nigerians have expressed frustration over what they describe as a sharp decline in living standards since Tinubu assumed office in 2023. Critics point to steep increases in the price of essential goods, with petrol rising from about ₦238 per litre at the start of his administration to over ₦1,000 by 2026. Cooking gas prices have more than doubled to around ₦22,000 per cylinder, while a 50kg bag of rice now sells for roughly ₦100,000, nearly triple its earlier cost.
For many households, these figures translate into daily struggles. “We can’t keep up anymore,” said a Lagos-based trader, who asked not to be named. “Everything has gone up, but our income has stayed the same.”
Reforms Bring Pain and Promised Gains
At the center of the economic turbulence are two major policy decisions early in Tinubu’s presidency: the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. The government has repeatedly defended these moves as necessary to stabilize Nigeria’s economy and eliminate what it described as unsustainable fiscal burdens.
Officials argue that while the reforms triggered short-term pain, they have begun to yield measurable benefits. Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth has reportedly rebounded to around 4%, while oil production has climbed to approximately 1.68 million barrels per day. Foreign reserves have also strengthened, reaching about $42 billion.
A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration remains focused on long-term recovery. “These are difficult but necessary decisions. The fundamentals are improving, and the results will become clearer over time,” the official said.
Rising Debt and Security Concerns
Despite these indicators, critics remain unconvinced. Nigeria’s public debt has surged, reportedly doubling to ₦159 trillion within the same period, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability. At the same time, insecurity continues to plague parts of the country, with reports of killings and kidnappings fueling public anxiety.
Opposition figures and civil society groups have seized on these issues to criticize the administration, with some labeling Tinubu’s tenure as one of the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history. “Economic growth means little if citizens cannot feel it in their daily lives,” said a policy analyst in Abuja.
Divided Public Opinion
The reaction among Nigerians remains sharply divided. While many demand immediate relief and accountability, others urge patience, noting that structural reforms often take time to produce visible improvements.
Supporters of the president argue that previous administrations avoided tough decisions, leaving the current government to confront deep-rooted economic distortions. “Ending fuel subsidy was long overdue,” said an economist at a Lagos-based think tank. “The question is whether the government can manage the transition effectively.”
Uncertain Road Ahead
As Tinubu enters the second half of his term, the challenge will be balancing reform-driven growth with urgent demands for relief. Analysts say the coming months will be critical in determining whether the administration can translate macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements for ordinary Nigerians.
For now, public sentiment remains volatile, caught between the promise of long-term stability and the reality of immediate hardship.